<p>Does anyone know how much of an effect an interview would make in the college admissions process? does the percentage of people who interview versus those who don't have a greater chance of being admitted?</p>
<p>Interviews as a whole, help to confirm other things in your file. It allows the file readers to have more confidence in their decision (reject OR admit). Since most colleges don't require them, they aren't supposed to be the tipping factor either way if you don't get an interview. </p>
<p>I wouldn't fret about not interviewing at some schools. I was accepted at all schools applied (including Ivies) to but only one interviewed me -- the one to which I matriculated.. It interviewed me because they had an established large alumni network of recruiters/interviewers. Good luck to you</p>
<p>How much weight is placed on the inerview varies widely from school to school. Though I would say in general--honestly not that much. But in the chance that it does, it's always better to interview if it's possible/convenient for you. No one expects you to travel hours to a school that only offers on-campus interviews, but if alumni ones are offered, or if you live nearby...why not? It can only help.</p>
<p>but what if someone does horrible at an interview, would that cause a school to reject if that person was on the borderline to begin with?</p>
<p>^If you make a negative impression on your interviewer as opposed to a neutral one? Then yes, some schools will take an interview score of 0/1 as a sign that they should not take a kid, although odds are your lack of personal qualities would have come across in another part of the application.</p>
<p>For most kids, though, the interview is just another piece of the puzzle. It really only affects you if it's really good or really bad.</p>
<p>The only other thing I might add to all of the good information on these other posts are that interviews is another way for you to demonstrate interest in the school. Some small schools, like LACS, might find that to be important.</p>
<p>^Yes, if they offer on-campus interviews, schedule one when you visit.</p>
<p>But at schools like Columbia that do not and then only (seemingly randomly) schedule alumni interviews by region, not interviewing won't be a big deal (unless you blow off your scheduled interview).</p>
<p>A guy I talked to at Wesleyan said, "Interviews are optional, but then again so is writing your name on the application." If you can do it, then I really think you should. I don't think you have a greater chance of being admitted but it definately doesn't hurt.</p>
<p>Ok, i think i have some lesser known, "inside" info for you. my aunt is an admissions interviewer for princeton, so i know quite a bit about this process. to answer your question about whether it can hurt you, well, yes, it can. if you are a borderline applicant, the interview will probably hold more "weight" than if you were in the top ranges. however, what a lot of people DON'T know is that much of it depends on the interviewer as well. my aunt, for example, says that some interviewers might have great interviewees, but the way they write the report can put a damper on that person's chances. some tips she gave me were to find out some specifics about that school. for example, specific programs your major has, special community service opportunities, etc... that separates the "good" from the "people who actually cared enough to do research". the difference is quite noticeable to an interviewer, she said. hope that helped, and good luck!</p>
<p>an amazing interview cannot get you in, but a very very poor interview can keep you out.</p>
<p>^I know at least two kids off the top of my head who stayed in touch with their interviewer as he/she advocated for them at the admissions office. (Columbia and Yale were the schools). Obviously other parts of the puzzle had to fall together as well, but it really pushed these two individuals over the edge.</p>
<p>ses, just out of curiosity, did their advocacy make a difference in the admissions decision?</p>
<p>My child applied EA to U of Chicago and interviewed on campus. Her interviewer really liked her and kept advocating for her ,including numerous e mails with tips. He even came out after the interview to talk with me about ways of boosting her chances of getting in, particularly in light of the fact that her stats were borderline at best for Chicago. She didn't get in EA, but was admitted regular decision and is now attending. I am thoroughly convinced that her interview made all the difference in her ultimately getting accepted.</p>
<p>NJ113, obviously those two kids that ses was referring to got in. Note that ses said "it really pushed these two individuals over the edge"</p>
<p>I've heard of several cases in which students with great stats have had amazing, 3-hour long interviews with alums and didn't get into the school, so I tend to wager that interviews aren't terribly important.</p>
<p>^^ Well if this is for Ivies/equivalent caliber schools who only take a couple percent of applicants, not everyone with great stats and a good interview will get in obviously.</p>